The winter transfer window is set to open on New Year’s Day and speculation about potential moves is rife.
Arsenal’s Alexis Sánchez has been one of the most talked about players since the summer transfer window slammed shut. The Chilean superstar is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal at the Emirates, with little more than six months left on his current deal.
In one of the more audacious rumours since the summer, the Sun are reporting that Everton are readying a £30 million offer to their Premier League rivals.
As it currently stands, the Gunners could lose the 28-year-old on a free transfer at the end of the season should they fail to agree a deal with their star forward. Many reports suggest Sánchez is not going to sign a new deal so Arsenal could certainly consider selling him in January.
Whilst Everton do have a wealthy owner prepared to splash out big sums on players, one has to laugh at them making an offer for Alexis Sánchez. If true, there is simply no way the player would agree a move to Goodison Park.
The former Barcelona star has been linked to bigger clubs throughout Europe, including Manchester United, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Juventus. All are title challengers in their respective domestic leagues and competing in this season’s Champions League.
Arsène Wenger has previously admitted his side are likely to be without Sánchez beyond this season. The club should therefore consider any serious offers in January. This would allow them to recoup some of the £35m million they splashed out for the player in 2014. However, Sánchez’s goals and contribution could be crucial for the second half of the season if Arsenal are to qualify for next season’s Champions League. That arguably matters more than partially recouping his transfer fee.
I’m sure Alexis Sánchez won’t be at Arsenal next season but I do think the North London club will want to keep hold of him until the end of this season at least.
Where is Sánchez likely to go?
Manchester City have been the favourites to sign the Chilean since this past summer. Pep Guardiola worked with Sánchez at Barcelona and made a couple of offers for the player during the last transfer window. However, City are unwilling to spend beyond £20 million, despite splashing out huge sums over the summer.
Guardiola’s side currently top the Premier League and look set to win the title. A move to the Etihad would bring a nice pay packet and a better chance of winning trophies than at Arsenal. However, would Sánchez be a regular in the Spanish manager’s side? They already have the likes of Leroy Sané and Gabriel Jesus starting some games on the bench, with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, and Sergio Aguero in hot form this season.
Manchester United have been playing a more attractive brand of football in their second season under José Mourinho. Romelu Lukaku started the season on fire but seems to have faded over the past two months. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have been excellent rotating down the left wing. However, Henrikh Mkhitaryan hasn’t offered much in the number 10 role and the Portuguese coach hasn’t settled on a right winger.
Sánchez spent a lot of time down the right at Barcelona. A move to Manchester United would likely guarantee him much more playing time than if he were to join their local rivals. They have a manager who is a regular winner of trophies too.
Bayern Munich are arguably the best guarantee for trophies. There is little competition to the record Bundesliga winners in Germany. They were virtually guaranteed to win the league before the season even started and are living up to their reputation as the current league leaders.
The Bavarians are also favourites to win the German cup and are among the favourites to win the Champions League.
Likewise, Juventus have a good chance of winning the domestic league double in Italy. The Old Lady are currently battling with Inter Milan and Napoli at the top of Serie A in a more challenging campaign compared to recent seasons.
